Though the Christmas season isn’t exactly upon us, the PTA put on the ninth annual holiday fair at the John W. Decas Elementary school to raise funds (and spirits).

The fair, held Saturday, was meant to raise money for the schools. PTA President Nichole Mazzoli said last year’s fair saw about 900 people, but that she was expecting this year’s to see at least 1,000.

“This year, we have the new Santa workshop,” Mazzoli said. “In the workshop, they can make mugs … keychains … blinking necklaces … and it’s also a place for if kids can’t buy, there’s also coloring stuff over there for them. We wanted to make sure there was a free component, too.”

Among the attractions were several games and a candy-making station that featured powdered, colored sugars meant to be poured into a tube like edible sand art. Additionally, there were 71 raffle baskets put together by classrooms,

Mazzoli said several members of the community had stepped forward to volunteer, as they walked through the doors and saw the sheer number of people at the fair. She said there were also about 30 teachers and parents volunteering, as well as 20 Honors students from the high school.

Chelsea Tiernan and her friend Sienna Cabe all said they liked playing games the most. Chelsea said her favorite game was “the one where you try to get a coin in, and you win a prize after,” while Sienna said her favorite game was “the bowling one.”